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Next generation of the ScotRail Alliance get career on track

Posted: 13th July 2017

The ScotRail Alliances’s fourth intake of Modern Apprentices has celebrated securing permanent employment on the railway and completion of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The 18-month-long Customer Service Modern Apprentice scheme saw six apprentices, aged 18-22, work towards achieving a Level 2 Scottish Vocational Qualification in Customer Service as well as a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

During the programme, they were trained, paid and given placements in key frontline customer service roles including – station booking office, gateline, ticket examiner and on-train hospitality host.

Additionally, three apprentices gained a modern apprenticeship in Level 3 engineering maintenance.

The engineering apprenticeship is a four-year programme where the first year is spent at full time college and thereafter day release for the remaining three years.

All eight of the apprentices have secured full-time positions within the ScotRail Alliance.

Jordan Bingham, ticket examiner, said: “The Modern Apprentice program is probably one of the best things I have done.

“During my time as an apprentice I learned new skills and gained confidence with working with new people and the public.

“I was thrilled to secure full-time employment on completing my apprenticeship. It just proves the worthwhile the programme is.

“I would recommend it to anyone that’s looking to challenge themselves and improve in what they do.”

Laura Friel, ticket examiner, said: “Completing my Customer Service Modern Apprenticeship with ScotRail was so rewarding. I’m glad I done it.

“Having the opportunity to move around the business and learn different aspects of the railway that I wouldn’t have got a chance to experience out-with the apprenticeship was the highlight.

“I was really happy to achieve a full-time job with the railway as a ticket examiner. I can use my experience from the apprenticeship in my new role to further my career in the railway.”

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance managing director, said: “We are extremely proud of our apprentices.

“These young people have worked hard to complete their apprenticeship and now take the next step in their careers.

“The value of taking on an enthusiastic apprentice cannot be understated and the programme is incredibly important to businesses, individuals and the economy.

“Today’s Modern Apprentices are the skilled and qualified workers of tomorrow and they’ll help us build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”

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